Captain Quartet to lead Australian Para Athletics charge

Reigning Paralympic champions Vanessa Low and James Turner will lead the nation’s charge in Paris both on and off the track, named alongside Rhiannon Clarke and Chad Perris as Australia’s Para Athletics co-captains.

The youngest of Australia’s four captains, 22-year-old Rhiannon Clarke is poised to step up as the 2024 Paralympic Games draw closer, fresh off a 2023 World Para Championships silver medal in the 400m T38 and Australian record of 12.79 (+0.4) in the 100m T38 last week.

Clarke, who won the 100m, 200m and 400m treble in the Para ranks at the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships, says she hopes to grow into the role when joining a rich history of leaders and advocates.

“Going through international competitions at such a young age and having the older athletes guide me through them feeling confident and comfortable; I wanted to be able to do that myself as an official role. I see a lot of potential in the young athletes we have coming through,” Clarke said.

“I remember being 15 years old and having people like Madi de Rozario, Angie Ballard and Eliza Ault-Connell – those three were really good role models. I learned so much about Para Athletics and they have done amazing things for our sport through leadership and change.”

The appointment is due recognition for Clarke who has been taking strides in all areas in 2024:

“I want to help Para Athletics be more recognisable. This year I have become a lot more passionate about wanting Para voices to be heard and wanting Para athletes to be seen. I’m proud of what I have done with social media, but there is way more that can be done.”

One of the most iconic figures in Paralympic sport affectionately known as The White Tiger, Chad Perris boasts a wealth of experience but says another leadership nod comes with great pride, placing an emphasis on leading from the front and being the catalyst for team camaraderie.

“It’s about team morale and building the culture. When everyone comes from all over the country to be together for two or three weeks, you have to bring everyone together quickly to be a good cohesive unit built around respect,” Perris said.

“11 years ago on my first national team, the Paralympic landscape was very different. The world is catching up to us because Australia has taken Para sport seriously for quite some time, and other countries are starting to do the same. Success is obviously medals but it’s also enjoying the experience and being comfortable in the environment.”

An experienced campaigner, Perris is acutely aware of the opportunity that lies ahead:

“You get people coming up with the cliches of it just being another run, but that’s not the reality. It’s a big Games in a massive stadium in front of a massive crowd. Watching Bree Masters and the Australian sprinters at the Olympics made me so pumped to get out there.”

Adding to the calibre of team leaders, two-time Paralympic champion and seven-time sprinting world champion James Turner steps into the role of co-captaincy as he continues his personal development, while long jumper Vanessa Low will share her wisdom from the top of the Paralympic podium to building platforms for storytelling.

The quartet have been tasked with providing guidance and support to young and inexperienced team members, organising athlete-only activities, celebrating and supporting personal and team achievements, and delivering key messages between team management and athletes.

The Paralympic Games begin in Paris on August 28, while the Para Athletics program commences on August 30.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted 15/08/2024